HAGEL SAYS MILITARY VIEW SHAPED BY SERVICE IN VIETNAM

Defense nominee fought alongside his younger brother

Chuck Hagel says his experience fighting in Vietnam alongside his younger brother will shape any decision he makes to unleash military force if the Senate confirms him to be President Barack Obama’s defense secretary.

On the eve of his confirmation hearing, Hagel offered his opinions on a long list of issues, from cuts in defense spending and women in combat to penalties against Iran, in a 112-page response to a questionnaire from the Senate Armed Services Committee.

It was the first time that Hagel’s voice had been heard in such detail since Obama announced nominees for his second-term national security team on Jan. 7.

“I understand what it is like to be a soldier in war,” wrote Hagel. “I also understand what happens when there is poor morale and discipline among the troops and a lack of clear objectives, intelligence, and command and control from Washington. I believe that experience will help me as secretary of defense to ensure we maintain the best fighting force in the world, protect our men and women in uniform and ensure that we are cautious and certain when contemplating the use of force.”

If confirmed, the former two-term Republican senator from Nebraska would be the first enlisted man to serve as defense secretary.

Hagel described volunteering for Vietnam, serving a 12-month tour that included the Tet Offensive in 1968 — a series of surprise North Vietnamese attacks on South Vietnam and its U.S. ally during a holiday cease-fire — and rising to the rank of infantry sergeant.

In his responses, Hagel adopted a hard line on Iran and its possible pursuit of a nuclear weapon. He echoed Obama’s view that all options are feasible to stop Tehran.

Hagel has faced criticism that he is not sufficiently pro-Israel or tough enough on Iran. In the past, Hagel has questioned the efficacy of unilateral sanctions on Iran, arguing that penalties in conjunction with international partners made more sense.

“If Iran continues to flout its international obligations, it should continue to face severe and growing consequences,” Hagel said. “While there is time and space for diplomacy, backed by pressure, the window is closing. Iran needs to demonstrate it is prepared to negotiate seriously.”

Hagel’s opponents have focused on his past statements about Israel, Iran, gay rights and the influence of a “Jewish lobby,” a comment for which he’s apologized. They also worry about his support for cuts in nuclear weapons.

“Sen. Hagel has no credibility on perhaps the biggest foreign policy challenge facing the Obama administration’s second term and on American national security interests in the Middle East and around the world,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, an opponent of the nominee, said Wednesday on the Senate floor.